GOING BEYOND LIMITS

Arc. Mobolaji Adeniyi (FNIA)

Principal Architect

MA & Associates

‘ARCHITECTURE IN THE 21ST

CENTURY IN NIGERIA’

INTRODUCTION

▪ Architecture all through the ages has been the process, the

product of planning, designing and constructing buildings and

other structures.

▪ A simple definition is “the art and science of designing and

creating buildings”.

▪ Architecture originated from God and can be described as

the oldest profession.

▪ Genesis 1:1 talks about the beginning and how the Greatest

Architect Jehovah God designed the earth, the firmament

and all that exist today. To Him alone belong all the glory for

whatever anyone of us who dare to call ourselves Architect

have been able to achieve.

According to the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON),

Architecture is:

“The art and science in theory and practice of design, erection,

commissioning, maintenance and management and coordination

of all allied professional inputs thereto of buildings or part thereof

and the layout and master plan of such buildings or group of

buildings forming a comprehensive institution, establishment or

neighborhood as well as any other organized space, enclosed or

opened, required for human and other activities”

Introduction cont.

• This definition by ARCON pretty much sums up the “limits of

Architectural practice in Nigeria in the 21st century”.• Interestingly, most Architects in Nigeria have not fully explored all the

areas permitted for architects by ARCON

• However to go beyond this limits will be our focus so that the

‘architecture spirit” in its practitioners can be allowed to have

expression to its fullest.

• “ Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” NEALE DONALD

WALSCH

According to one of the greatest movers of Modern Architecture,

Frank Lloyd Wright described Architecture as;

“life, or at least it is life taking form and therefore it is the truest

record of life as it was lived in the world yesterday, as it is lived

today or even will be lived. So architecture I know to be a

great spirit………”

What Really Is

Architecture?

Falling Waters

in Pennsylvania

• “Architecture is that great living creative spirit

which from generation to generation, from age to

age proceeds, persists, and creates according to

the nature of man and his circumstances as they

change. That is really architecture.”

Frank L. Wright

Guggeheim museum N.Y Taliesin Spring Green

What then should the training of Architects be in order to provoke

in the practitioners the “Great Spirit” which will affect the life and

soul of every human community?

• The present curriculum of most Schools of Architecture in

Nigerian shows emphasis mainly on skills development and

ability to prepare all the documents necessary for a Building

Project.

• The Background theory of History of Architecture as well as

Components and Methods and all core courses taught in every

School of Architecture in Nigeria prepare the student for

practice to an extent.

The Training Of An Architect

The truth of the matter is that most skills taught in school amount to only about

35% maximum of what is actually required to carry out a successful

Architectural Practice

according to Arc. M.B. Bello in his paper

“Architecture: - Adaptation in Economic Recession”

The Training Of An Architect

Cont.

How Should It Be ?

S/N ARCHITECTURAL

EDUCATION

% SUPPORTIVE/COMPLIM

ENTARY

EDUCATION

%

1 Conceptual and

Design Skills

15 Politics (local and

Global knowledge)

10

2 Drawing and

Presentation

Skills

10 Business

Management, office/

Practice

Administration

10

3 Contract

Documentation

10 Networking/

Marketing

10

4 Procurement 10

5 Finance/ Accounts

Project/ Office

Administration

10

6 Project Management 10

7 Others 5

TOTAL 35% 65%

Fully Certified Architect – 100%

The table bellow shows what the training, development and practice of

Architecture should be.

• While it is obvious that not all

things can be taught in school,

the student of Architecture who

wants to go beyond limits must

continually be abreast of all the

subjects mentioned in the table

above to be relevant in Architecture in the 21stCentury.

• Learning is beyond the four walls

of the university.

The Training Of An Architect

Cont.

• The Architect must be involved in Politics to the extent that he is seen as a

formidable asset to government.

• Every chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Architects must be a pressure

group that cannot be ignored.

• Opinions and constructive criticism must be heard from the Architects

regularly so that as reference and reverence is given to the legal

profession, so should it be given to Architects.

The issue is not the creation of the post “Architect General” but ensuring

that we are actively engaged in policy formulation in the government.

Politics Local And Global

Knowledge

• President Obama says of

Architecture: “it is about creating

buildings spaces that inspire us, that

help us do our jobs, that bring us

together and that become at their

best works art that we can move

through, live in. And in the end that

is why Architecture can be

considered the most democratic of

art forms.”

Politics Local And Global

Knowledge cont.

Relevance Of Architecture

• Every activity of man needs an Architect to provide or make the space

conducive for the activity. Architecture is crucial in the development of

jobs and wealth creation in any economy.

• Indeed a nation’s identity is usually defined by her architecture.

• For as long as man creates habitations for its activities the Architect is

totally relevant.

WE SHAPE THE

FUTURE WE

FEATURE IN

Relevance Of Architecture

National Theater, Nigeria Tower of

liberty

(U.S.A)

Burj al

arab

(Dubai)

Tower of London

Sydney opera (Australia)

Eiffel tower

(France)

“ You have extended your

boundaries out to the sea, your

Architects have made you glorious”

Ezekiel 27vs4

The Creative Industry

• Architecture is one of the disciplines

that make up the creative

industry.

• These are industries that

are based on individual creativity,

skills, talent with potential to

create wealth and jobs through

developing intellectual property.

• Other sectors include advertising,

the art and antiques market,

crafts, design, fashion design,

film, interactive leisure-software

(i.e. video game), music, photography

the performing arts, publishing,

software, television, radio and much

more

The Creative Industry

• Going beyond limits is recognizing our potentials as

an important member of the creative industry and

the ability to help create wealth for the country through

Architecture.

• Architect can create wealth for the country through

iconic buildings that attract profit e.g. design of

tourist centres, theme parks, museums e.t.c

• Job 32: 8

“But there is a spirit within people, the

breath of the Almighty within them,

that makes them intelligent.”

BEYOND LIMITS

Going Beyond Limits

• Limits are boundaries that are setup beyond which we can not or

Usually do not go either by law, tradition or our idiosyncrasies.

• The traditional role of architects in Nigeria has been basically

encapsulated in the role of “designers of buildings” if he is lucky,

He gets to supervise the building he has designed. Most times, he may

Be overruled even by the client and his vision for the project will

not be achieved.

• Other allied professionals like the structural engineers and the quantity

surveyors sometimes try to usurp his duties and authority on site.

if not careful, he almost becomes the ‘enemy’ on site.

Going Beyond Limits cont.

• Architects therefore need to rise to the challenge of ensuring that their work

are given value content as the blue print without which any of the other

consultants can work.

• Proper education of the client and even consultants prior to the starting

of the project must be done.

• Adequate drawings and detailing to ensure that the Architects concept

is not tampered with by the engineers and other allied professionals.

Presently in Nigeria Architects are usually employed in the following

establishment

• Government : Federal, State and Local (planning offices)

• Institutions : Educational (academic, works/maintenance)

• Finance house: property departments, project maintenance dept.

• Private Architectural Firms

• Construction companies

• Building Materials manufacturers

Going Beyond Limits

• The architects in the academics have their roles also clearly spell out.

However also in the academia, we need to go beyond our lecturing roles

And become more involved in research and practice in order to impart more

on the profession and our students.

Going Beyond Limits

• For most of the establishments, where architects are engaged, new

structures usually come up within these establishments or even renovation

projects for which the “in house” Architect should be the first point of call

in advising on the appropriate steps to take.

• Within the scope of his exposure or expertise the “in house” architect

should be able to design and prepare documents for construction. Where

the scope of the project is more complex and demanding, the in-house

architect should be able to work with external consultants in ensuring that

the client’s needs are met.

• One of the problems identified with architects in this category is that they

are not usually registered with ARCON. This usually limits them in terms of

scope of projects they can handle and even promotions in the

establishment.

• Due to the “laid back” attitude of most architects now, the other

professionals within the construction industry are fast eroding our roles

and taking over the Lead in the building industry,

• Where are the days of the Master Builder when the Architects were the

engineers as well as the cost consultant on his project?

Why is the Architect being sidelined?

Some of the reasons for this are:

▪ Lack of understanding of contract administration

▪ Insufficient detailing and specifications

▪ Lack of leadership skills

Architects In Practice

Going Beyond Limits cont.

To go beyond limits, the architect must reclaim his role as the head of the team and

ensure he gives “informed directives” to other allied professionals in the team.

• He must break the limits by increasing his knowledge base in order to

be respected by others.

Architecture goes beyond buildings. The entrepreneurship spirit being built up in

universities like Covenant must come to the fore.

Other areas where Architects have excelled includes

• interior design

• furniture design and production

• Landscape Architecture,

• Animation

• Total Living Solutions design of sanitary wares, light

fittings, cutleries etc.

• Graduates of architecture should go through tutelage. A minimum of 2 years is

needed for effective mentoring under a well established firm before jumping

Into “freelancing”. Most young Architects who do this usually end up with projects

that are not well thought through with attending problems.

• Think out of the box:

Architects are not going extinct; we are needed

in every area of the society.

• There is a housing deficit presently in Nigeria of

over 17million units. Only the Architects can solve

the problem with affordable and efficient houses.

Using mainly locally sourced materials,

• Young Architects are needed with fresh

ideas, to provide solutions to provision of

infrastructure and public facilities.

• ‘By 2050 another three billion people will need

to be housed, and architects and urban

designers have an enormous role to play in

responding to this challenge’

Prince Charles of Wales

Beyond Limits

Beyond Limitations

• Like the Carleton university slogan

for architecture says-

-students in architecture and

urbanism are not afraid to Imagine

a future that is different form the

world today.

• This is a challenge to think out of the

box

. Be proficient in skills that will enhance the presentation and “marketing” of their designs.

• Many software are available to aid the architect in “going

beyond limits” in different categories:

• 2D/3D e.g Autodesk Revit, Trimble sketchup, VectorworksArchitecture

• 3D e.g 3dsmax Autodesk Maya

• Post production: Adobe Photoshop-Adobe illustrator, Adobe

InDesign, Adobe after effect, Adobe premiere pro, Autodesk

sketch book, Nuke.

• Rendering e.g Artlantis, Vray renderer, Maxwell renderer,

Indigo renderer, Lumion etc.

SOCIAL SKILLS:

• meeting people

• developing relationships

• communication skills

• Volunteer work in community projects

• Sharpening our skills and confidence by

participating in local and international competitions

• Be a solution provider

NIA Talent Hunt

• Recently, the Nigerian Institute of Architects organized a talent hunt for

students of architecture using locally sourced building materials to

ensure that your Clients requirement while at the same time, ensure

good living standards via design. .

• Students were required to consider the following criteria in their design:

• Use of local sourced building materials

• Climatic factors

• Cultural/ Heritage Factors

• Site Location

• The purpose of the talent hunts is to engage students to

Imagine the repurposing of our existing in Nigeria with sustainable

Buildings from renewable resources, offering expedient affordable

Construction, innovating with new and old building materials and

Designing healthy living and working environments.

Talent Hunt

Talent Hunt winning entry

GOOD POOR

Rating 5 4 3 2 1

Interest of the graduate employee

Preparation to be integrated into workforce

Ability to interpret brief

Active participation in discussions

Eagerness to perform well on assignments and project given

Ability to exert more effort when difficult assignments are given.

Ability to relate with colleagues

Promptness of delivery of assignments

Studio Works

Sketch presentation

Working drawings

3D presentation

Schedule of dilapidation presentation

Detailing

Free hand sketching

Report writing

GOOD POOR

Rating 5 4 3 2 1

Site works

ability to interpret drawings on site

Ability to co-ordinate site

Ability to relate with the Client

Ability to relate with the contractor & sub-contractor

Ability to identify the quality of materials on site

Ability to take decisions on site

Soft wares Application

Auto cad

Revit

Archicad

Lumion

Studio max

Sketch up

Our observation over the years of fresh graduates and interns are, presented in

The table below

Conclusion

• Imagination is your power to go beyond the known and the unknown to

create your utopia.

• “I shut my eyes in order to see.”

It’s lamentable that our focus is always on what EXISTS rather than on what

COULD EXIST. ARTIST PAUL GAUGUIN

• As you go out of university you must determine to go beyond limits

ensuring your relevance within any establishment that you find yourself.

• Architecture prepares you to face the world with creative skills and solutions

that will help fulfill your destiny